Lining up for polka, wurst, drink and more at Wurstfest

By Roy Bragg :
October 31, 2012
: Updated: November 5, 2012 7:10am

Cheyenne Hodges, left, and Michael Tashnick, both of Austin, drink and dance by the stage as the Alex Meixner Band plays during Wurstfest in New Braunfels on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012.

Photo By Lisa Krantz/San Antonio Express-News

Alex Meixner, with the Alex Meixner Band, entertains the crowd during Wurstfest in New Braunfels on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012.

Photo By Lisa Krantz/San Antonio Express-News

Kathy Rubey, of New Ulm, MN, from left, Jamie Logsdon and Whitney Welsch, both of Austin, join arms to sway back and forth together as the Alex Meixner Band plays during Wurstfest in New Braunfels on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012.

Photo By Lisa Krantz/San Antonio Express-News

Kathy Rubey, of New Ulm, MN, moves to the music of the Alex Meixner Band during Wurstfest in New Braunfels on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012.

Photo By Lisa Krantz/San Antonio Express-News

Alex Meixner, of the Alex Meixner Band, gets in on a photograph being taken of Riley Patton, 6, of Huffman, in front of the stage he is performing on during Wurstfest in New Braunfels on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012.

Photo By Lisa Krantz/San Antonio Express-News

Riley Patton, 6, of Huffman, with her grandfather, James Patton, of Liberty, center, watches people dancing by to the music played by the Alex Meixner Band during Wurstfest in New Braunfels on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012.

Photo By Lisa Krantz/San Antonio Express-News

Cheyenne Hodges, right, Shannon Sheffield, left, both of Austin, dance as the Alex Meixner Band plays during Wurstfest in New Braunfels on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012.

Photo By Lisa Krantz/San Antonio Express-News

Cheyenne Hodges, of Austin, dances as the Alex Meixner Band plays during Wurstfest in New Braunfels on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012.

Photo By Lisa Krantz/San Antonio Express-News

Alex Meixner, with the Alex Meixner Band, entertains the crowd during Wurstfest in New Braunfels on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012.

Photo By Lisa Krantz/San Antonio Express-News

Charlie Perron, of Robstown, takes in the scene at Wurstfest in New Braunfels on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012.

Photo By TOM REEL/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Genre-bending favorite Alex Meixner will help open the annual salute to sausage. EXPRESS-NEWS FILE PHOTO

Gwen (left) and Lee Roy Petersen kiss after taking part in the polka contest during the final day of the 51st annual Wurstfest Sunday Nov. 13, 2011 in New Braunfels, Tx. In 2008 the Petersens were the first place winners.

Photo By ROBIN JERSTAD

The line is long to get potato pancakes at Wurstfest in New Braunfels. After snacking, it's time to dance and imbibe. Photo by Robin Jerstad

Photo By EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Barry (center left) and Mary Irwin toast with other while listening to The Sauerkrauts perform during the final day of the 51st annual Wurstfest Sunday Nov. 13, 2011 in New Braunfels, Tx. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/eaornelas@express-news.net)

Photo By EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

People attending the final day of the 51st annual Wurstfest take in the sights Sunday Nov. 13, 2011 in New Braunfels, Tx. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/eaornelas@express-news.net)

Photo By EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Doug Graves wears commemorative pins on his hat during the final day of the Wurstfest.

Photo By TOM REEL

Dressed in traditional German outfits , four girls from the El Campo High School German Dance group, share some fun before a group picture at Wurstfest Saturday afternoon, November 4. Left to right are Katie Little, Lindsey Schmidt, Amber Pfeffer, and Heather Ladewig. All are seniors at the high school. Photo by Tom Reel

Photo By EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Jimmy Delgado talks on his cell phone during the final day of the 51st annual Wurstfest Sunday.

Photo By EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

FOR METRO - Horst and Kimberly Schaffner hold hands in the polka contest during the final day of the 51st annual Wurstfest Sunday Nov. 13, 2011 in New Braunfels, Tx. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/eaornelas@express-news.net)

Photo By EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Lorelei und Schatzi's Lorelei Wisian perform during the final day of the 51st annual Wurstfest.

Vicki and Stanley Pehl with food and drink, and in search of music, on Sunday, November 12, 2000 at Wurstfest in New Braunfels, TX. Photo by Bahram Mark Sobhani/Special to the Express-News

Photo By KAREN L. SHAW/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

FOR METRO: NEW BRAUNFELS: Jodie Thompson, of Arlington, Texas, dressed in a replica of the uniform worn by the Bavarian Royal Guards until 1910, jokes with revelers at Wurstfest 2001 Friday, Nov. 2, 2001 (KAREN L. SHAW/STAFF)

Photo By KAREN L. SHAW/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

NEW BRAUNFELS: Judges stand next to the Seven Dutchmen Orchestra, which plays for the polka contest at Wurzfest 2001 Friday, Nov. 2, 2001. (KAREN L. SHAW/STAFF)

Photo By J. MICHAEL SHORT/SPECIAL TO THE EXPRESS-NEWS

METRO WURSTFEST 11/03/01 ( J. MICHAEL SHORT / SPECIAL ) Thousands of folk flock to New Braunfels for the annual festival featuring sausage and other traditional German foods, rides, games, music and dance. Kim Murray, center, of Austin, finds herself in the center of a dance with her daughters and friends, to the music of Salzburger Echo, Sunday.

Photo By J. MICHAEL SHORT/SPECIAL TO THE EXPRESS-NEWS

METRO WURSTFEST 11/03/01 ( J. MICHAEL SHORT / SPECIAL ) Thousands of folk flock to New Braunfels for the annual festival featuring sausage and other traditional German foods, rides, games, music and dance. Mike Kivlin of New Braunfels shuffles a card deck and check the scoring during Sunay's Skat tournament. Skat is a traditional German card game.

Photo By KAREN L. SHAW/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

NEW BRAUNFELS: Rick Rein, of San Antonio, hoping to add to his collection, looks through a selection of antique and modern steins at Wurstfest 2001, assisted by Melanie Moss of OHI Collectibles and Gifts. Friday, Nov. 2, 2001 (KAREN L. SHAW/STAFF) detail

Photo By KAREN L. SHAW/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

NEW BRAUNFELS: The Sauerkrauts, featuring lead singer Franz (STAGE NAME SO NO LAST NAME), and the camera-hungry Robert Atwood , of Oklahoma City, on accordion, perform Friday, Nov. 2, 2001 during Wurstfest 2001. (KAREN L. SHAW/STAFF) lede

Photo By KAREN L. SHAW/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

NEW BRAUNFELS: German garb front and back: Jim Thompson (left) and his brother, Jodie (right) wear replicas of the Bavarian Royal Guard Uniforms used until 1910, while Stephen Siemsen, of San Antonio, wears kniebundhosen in the middle at Wurstfest 2001 Friday, Nov. 2, 2001 (KAREN L. SHAW/STAFF) 3rd suporting

Photo By KAREN L. SHAW/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

NEW BRAUNFELS: Dorothy Moose, of New Braunfels, who grew up speaking German as a child, serves sausages during Wurstfest 2001 Friday, Nov. 2, 2001 (KAREN L. SHAW/STAFF) supporting to lede

Photo By KAREN L. SHAW/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

METRO: Ten-year-old Matthew Barker plays the cowbells at Wurstfest in New Braunfels with the band Alpenfest Saturday, Nov. 2, 2002. (KAREN L. SHAW/STAFF)

Photo By Bahram Mark Sobhani/AP

Jordan Gonzales bites into a sausage-on-a-stick along with her sister, Rebeca, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2000 at Wurstfest in New Braunfels, Tex. The city has been holding "Wurstfest: The 10-day salute to sausage," for the last 46 years, drawing curious, and hungry, visitors from the world over. A large, lush park near a spring-fed river transforms every fall into the international center of Gemutlichkeit "fun and fellowship, German style." This year the event kicks off Nov. 2, 2007. (AP Photo/San Antonio Express-News, Bahram Mark Sobhani) ** ONLINES OK**

Photo By BOB OWEN/AP

Mike Stout, of Austin Texas, holds his pitcher of beer in one hand and mug in the other at Wurstfest in New Braunfels, Texas, Nov. 1, 2003. The city has been holding "Wurstfest: The 10-day salute to sausage," for the last 46 years, drawing curious, and hungry, visitors from the world over. A large, lush park near a spring-fed river transforms every fall into the international center of Gemutlichkeit "fun and fellowship, German style." This year the event kicks off Nov. 2, 2007. (AP Photo/San Antonio Express-News, Bob Owen) ** ONLINES OK, MAGS OUT NO SALES **

Photo By K. Jessie Slaten/AP

** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE **This November 2006 photo provided by the Wurstfest Association of New Braunfels shows a young man playing the accordion as the entertainment at Wurstfest, an annual German festival held in New Braunfels, Texas.

Photo By K. Jessie Slaten/AP

** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE **This November 2006 photo provided by the Wurstfest Association of New Braunfels shows sausage being prepared for sale at Wurstfest, an annual German festival held in New Braunfels, Texas.

Photo By K. Jessie Slaten/AP

** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE **This November 2006 photo provided by the Wurstfest Association of New Braunfels shows the annual "biting of the sausage," which kicks off Wurstfest, an annual German festival held in New Braunfels, Texas.

Photo By BOB OWEN/AP

Mike Stout, of Austin Texas, holds his pitcher of beer in one hand and mug in the other at Wurstfest in New Braunfels, Texas, Nov. 1, 2003. The city has been holding "Wurstfest: The 10-day salute to sausage," for the last 46 years, drawing curious, and hungry, visitors from the world over. A large, lush park near a spring-fed river transforms every fall into the international center of Gemutlichkeit "fun and fellowship, German style." This year the event kicks off Nov. 2, 2007. (AP Photo/San Antonio Express-News, Bob Owen) ** ONLINES OK, MAGS OUT NO SALES **

George Cunningham (center) sports an "oompah or death" t-shirt while chatting with Mandy Medrano (right) and his wife Janet Cunningham (left) during Wurstfest in New Braunfels, Oct. 30, 2010.

A crowded Wursthalle during Wurstfest in New Braunfels, Oct. 30, 2010.

George Cunningham (center) sports an "oompah or death" t-shirt while chatting with Mandy Medrano (right) and his wife Janet Cunningham (left) during Wurstfest in New Braunfels, Oct. 30, 2010.

METRO Alex Meixner starts the music at Wurstfest with an energetic accordian performance Friday in New Braunfels October 30, 2009.

Photo By TOM REEL/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

METRO Paul Nemeth carries stuffed dolls which are prizes in his Make It Take It booth on the Wurstfest grounds where vendors are preparing for the first day of the yearly celebration. Wurstfest runs from October 30 through November 8, 2009. Tom Reel/Staff

Photo By ANGELA GRANT/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Multimedia 44215 - Experience scenes from the final day of Wurstfest, the New Braunfels 10-day celebration of everything German.

Photo By JOHN DAVENPORT/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Kyle Howe of Oklahoma City enjoys a turkey leg Sunday in New Braunfels during Wurstfest. JOHN DAVENPORT/jdavenport@express-news.net

Photo By JOHN DAVENPORT/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Ernest Moore of Converse, Texas watches music and dancing at Wurstfest in New Braunfels Sunday. JOHN DAVENPORT/jdavenport@express-news.net

Photo By JOHN DAVENPORT/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Roger and Dot Walters of Baytown, Texas walk with their dogs in front of the grounds of Wurstfest with their dogs Horry Lee (L), Reddy Lee (center) and Chilee (rt.) on Sunday. JOHN DAVENPORT/jdavenport@express-news.net

Photo By JOHN DAVENPORT/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

David Smith of New Braunfels waltzes with Dorothy Warren (L) of Round Rock and Beth Warren of Austin at Wurstfest in New Braunfels Sunday. They were dancing to the the "Garden Waltz."

Photo By JOHN DAVENPORT/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Nico de Greef enjoys some sausage on a stick at Wurstfest Sunday. de Greef lives in San Antonio and is originally from Holland. JOHN DAVENPORT/jdavenport@express-news.net

Photo By JOHN DAVENPORT/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Bill Holden (L) and Barbara Holden of the Wurstfest Association show the circling to the left part of the Chicken Dance. (For ASF/ Roger Croteau) JOHN DAVENPORT/jdavenport@express-news.net

Photo By JOHN DAVENPORT/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Bill Holden (L) and Barbara Holden of the Wurstfest Association illustrate how to wiggle one's "tailfeathers" during that portion of the Chicken Dance. (For ASF/ Roger Croteau) JOHN DAVENPORT/jdavenport@express-news.net

Photo By K. Jessie Slaten/AP

** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE **This November 2006 photo provided by the Wurstfest Association of New Braunfels shows a young boy in traditional dress on the carousel at Wurstfest, an annual German festival held in New Braunfels, Texas.

Photo By KIN MAN HUI/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Gordon Zunker, foreground, plays in the Cloverleaf Orchesta at Wurstfest in New Braunfels, Texas on Wednesday, November 7, 2007. Zunker has played in the band for over 50 years and at every Wurstfest since it opened 47 years ago. Zunker will be retiring his trumpet after this year. (Kin Man Hui/Staff)

Photo By JOHN DAVENPORT/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

The deft fingers of Gordon Zunker,75, control the valves of his trumpet while playing with the Cloverleaf Orchestra at Wurstfest in New Braunfels, Texas on Wednesday November 7, 2007. After 50 years with the group, Zunker says he's ready to retire. JOHN DAVENPORT / STAFF

Photo By JOHN DAVENPORT/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Old sheet music sits on the bandstand of the Cloverleaf Orchestra at Wurstfest in New Braunfels, Texas on Wednesday November 7, 2007. Gordon Zunker,75, has played with the group for the last 50 years and is planning on retiring after this year's celebration. JOHN DAVENPORT / STAFF

Photo By Robert McLeroy/San Antonio Express-News

METRO -- Wurstfest in New Braunfels Sunday November 04, 2007.

Photo By Robert McLeroy/San Antonio Express-News

METRO -- Wurstfest in New Braunfels Sunday November 04, 2007.

Photo By Robert McLeroy/San Antonio Express-News

METRO -- Brett Hunter (left) and Mike Worthen, both of New Braunfels, enjoy Wurstfest in New Braunfels Sunday November 04, 2007.

Photo By Robert McLeroy/San Antonio Express-News

METRO -- Joyce and Charlie Perron dance at Wurstfest in New Braunfels Sunday November 04, 2007.

Photo By Robert McLeroy/San Antonio Express-News

METRO -- David Ozuna and his daughter Sol Lee Ozuna (cq) 9 months at Wurstfest in New Braunfels Sunday November 04, 2007.

Photo By Robert McLeroy/San Antonio Express-News

METRO -- Wurstfest in New Braunfels Sunday November 04, 2007.

Photo By Robert McLeroy/San Antonio Express-News

METRO -- Wurstfest in New Braunfels Sunday November 04, 2007.

Photo By Robert McLeroy/San Antonio Express-News

METRO -- Wurstfest in New Braunfels Sunday November 04, 2007.

Photo By Robert McLeroy/San Antonio Express-News

METRO -- (left to right) Rich, Grayton (cq) 3 years; and Lee Hale dance as a family at Wurstfest in New Braunfels Sunday November 04, 2007.

Photo By Robert McLeroy/San Antonio Express-News

METRO -- Michelle Fleming and her son, Jack Fleming 2 1/2, sport new hats at Wurstfest in New Braunfels Sunday November 04, 2007.

Photo By Robert McLeroy/San Antonio Express-News

METRO -- Madeline Hindman, 8, has a new balloon at Wurstfest in New Braunfels Sunday November 04, 2007.

Photo By ROBERT MCLEROY /SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

METRO --Lynn Lindsay (cq) talks with his son Ethan Lindsay, 2, while younger son, Jadon Linsday, 11 months (cq) takes a break in the Biergarten during Wurstfest in New Braunfels Sunday November 5, 2006.

Photo By ROBERT MCLEROY /SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

METRO -- Twins Nicholas and Christopher Vallance, 5, of San Antonio slide together during Wurstfest in New Braunfels Sunday November 5, 2006.

Photo By ROBERT MCLEROY /SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

METRO -- Gator the Clown entertains guests at Wurstfest in New Braunfels Sunday November 5, 2006.

METRO -- Participants at Wurstfest in New Braunfels slow down along the Comal River away from the center of activities. Sunday November 5, 2006.

Photo By WILLIAM LUTHER/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

METRO ----- Laila Rizkalla and her husband Joseph Rizkalla of Houston pose Saturday afternoon Nov. 4, 2006 in New Braunfels for a picture with James H.G. Thompson and Dan Krueger at Wurstfest in New Braunfels. (WILLIAM LUTHER/STAFF)

Photo By KIN MAN HUI/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

METRO - Fred Zimmerman (right) and his wife, Barbara, take a break from festivities at Wurstfest on Saturday, October 30, 2004. The Zimmermans of La Marque, Texas have attended the event on and off since 1966. (Kin Man Hui/staff)

Photo By KIN MAN HUI/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

METRO - Bruce Newton of Houston, Texas sports a "hot dog" hat at Wurstfest on Saturday, October 30, 2004. Wurstfest is a celebration of sausage coupled with Bavarian and Alpine entertainment. The event goes for 10 days. (Kin Man Hui/staff)

Photo By KIN MAN HUI/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

METRO - Dan McQuillen (right) and his wife, Tammy, of Houston, Texas dance to polka music at Wurstfest on Saturday, October 30, 2004. The couple donned witches hats in spirit of Halloween. The event is a celebration of music, food and drink. (Kin Man Hui/staff)

METRO DAILY - Mike Stout, of Austin TX, holds his pitcher of beer in one hand and mug in the other at Wurstfest in New Braunfels, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2003. photo Bob Owen

Photo By TOM REEL/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

METRO Dean Franklin, Brian Ivens, and Ann Ivens enjoy watching the crowd at Wurstfest Saturday afternoon as the rest on a hillside with their cameras. Tom Reel/Staff WURSTFEST NEXT TO LAST DAY TOM REEL/STAFF NOVEMBER 8, 2003.

Metro Jackie Mitchell of New Braunfels (left) juggles her beer cup while checking a Wurstfest map with her friend Jo Fisher of Dallas Saturday afternoon. Photo by Tom Reel November 10

Photo By BAHRAM MARK SOBHANI/EN

METRO DAILY - Aaryn Stafford, 3, adjusts his Opa hat as his mom, Beth, pushes him by the Tubameisters who were playing Sunday, November 12, 2000 at Wurstfest in New Braunfels. Photo by Bahram Mark Sobhani/Special to the Express News

Photo By BAHRAM MARK SOBHANI/EN

METRO DAILY - Wurstfest Opa Rick Reed seems unfazed by the rain as he sips his beer on the Wurstfest grounds Sunday, November 12, 2000 in New Braunfels. A brief, but heavy rain fell Sunday afternoon at the festival. Photo by Bahram Mark Sobhani/Special to the Express News

Photo By TOM REEL

Christopher Hicks, 6, takes a whirl with a dancing character from "Heritagefest Narren" Saturday at the entrance to Wurstfest in New Braunfels. The masked group, the origainal wooden mask group performing in the U.S>, is from New Ulm , Minnesota and is making it's second appearance at the event.

Photo By TOM REEL

The Fire on the Mountain Cloggers dance to a full crowd at the Little Tent at the Wurstfest in New Braunfels Saturday afternoon, November 4. Photo by Tom Reel

Photo By TOM REEL

SUNS Eight year old Alexis Todd is surrounded by characters from the wooden mask group Heritagefest Narren as she visits Wurstfest Saturday, November 4 with her grandmother who snapped a picture of the girl in this scene. Photo by Tom Reel

Photo By TOM REEL

SUNS Valina Rathkamp enjoys a conversation with Manfred Zehentmayr (who is from Austria) as the two take in a Saturday afternoon at the Wurstfest. Photo by Tom Reel November 4.

Photo By TOM REEL

Crowds move around the side of the Little Tent at Wurstfest Saturday, November 4 to see performers inside. Wurstfest was in full swing despite threatening skies. Photo by Tom Reel

Photo By TOM REEL

METRO Chendo Flores installs decorations at Wurstfest in New Braunfels next to a sausage and beer toting "Opa" as preparations run up to Friday's opening. Photo by Tom Reel November 1

Photo By ROBIN CORNETT

Wurstfest Association president Maurice Fischer and his wife, Charlene, bite into a heart-shaped sausage during the opening ceremonies Friday, Oct. 29, 1999, in New Braunfels. Photo by Robin Cornett/Special to Express-News. Shot on Film. 10/29/1999. File 993935.

Photo By TOM REEL

Metro Laura Stolinski sets out mugs at the City Store, the City of New Braunfels booth, at the Wurstfest grounds Thursday, October 28. The annual celebration begins Friday evening.

Photo By TOM REEL

Metro Potsy Flores of Convention Decorating Service, works in the warm sun to install a banner near an Opa decoration on the Wursthall building Thursday, October 28 in New Braunfels. The Wurstfest event begins Friday evening.

Photo By TOM REEL/TR Wurst1.jpg

Metro daily Members of "TubeMeisters" John Schecter, Richard Wallace, Ray Grim, and Robert Petrisky warm up before a stage appearance at Wurstfest in New BrAunfels. Photo by tom Reel 10/31/98

Photo By TOM REEL/Metro daily-Myron Floren

Metro daily-Myron Floren at Wurstfest.11-97 photo by tom reel.97-5216

Photo By TOM REEL/File 96-

weekenderadvance robert johnson Gator the Clown plays "a tall opa" at Wurstfest. Kids loved it. These wanted to give him a high, high five.photo by tom reel. 11-12-96

Photo By TOM REEL/File 96-

Wurstfest T Reel. George and Elaine Simko dance to the music in the Wursthall

Sausage returns to its rightful place atop the food chain as Wurstfest begins its annual 10-day-run in New Braunfels.

From Friday until Nov. 11, the state's polka capital will be alive with the sounds of Bavarian and Bohemian music. Sausages will be impaled on sticks. Men and women will don their best German finery. Food will be there. Accordions will be squeezed.

Wursfest, which was started in 1961 by local veterinarian/city meat inspector Ed A. Grist as a single-day, one-shot event called “Sausage Day,” has blossomed into an homage to German culture.

As has been the case in the past few years, the job of unofficial headliner goes to Alex Meixner, whose roots go back to his father Al Meixner, a legendary polka player.

The younger Meixner combines the work ethic of a jam band with traditional tunes and adds a punk sensibility. In other words, he plays very fast versions of most songs, and does so in an hour-long medley.

Meixner is wildly popular at Wurstfest. Be wary of his late-night gigs in Das Grosse Zelt (The Big Tent), which tend to be overrun with inebriated youthful fans.

On the other side of the Wurstfest grounds, in Das Kleine Zelt (the Little Tent), bands such as Houston's Alpenfest and performers such as Kerry Christensen, the Lebron James of yodeling, reign supreme. Between the two are dozens of acts, from the Grammy-winning big band sound of Jimmy Sturr to the all-volunteer Shiner Hobo Band.

Food is big at Wurstfest. You can't bring any in, but that's OK because there are hundreds of items for sale in the dozens of booths in The Wursthalle, at the center of the festival. Line up early or expect to wait an hour if you want Kartoffelpuffers, the German pancakes that are a cult favorite among the Wurstfest faithful.

The Wurstfest grounds are at the entrance of Landa Park. The best route is to head to New Braunfels on I-35, take the Seguin Avenue exit, and follow that around Main Plaza to the long lines of cars waiting to park. Parking is a hit-and-miss proposition, so be prepared to walk once you find a found (or rented) a parking space.

Wurfest opens at 5 p.m Friday with free admission for two hours. After that, tickets cost $8 at the gate. Children younger than 12 are admitted free.

Wurstfest gates open at 11:30 a.m. on the weekends and 5 p.m. on weekdays.